Answer to Prayer

THE LONG STORY:

Through a series of tests over the last 9 weeks my Mom was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer that spread to her liver and lung. Her Dr.'s say it is incurable but that they can prolong her life with Chemotherapy treatments every-other week. Last week she got a permanent "port" put in to receive the chemo treatments and another scan to be used as a baseline for comparison through treatment. Last Friday was her appointment with her oncologist to talk treatment schedules and such.

THE SHORT:

Comparing the latest scan to the one from 8 weeks ago...her liver cancer appears to be shrinking! This is before any treatment. In regards to some previous lesions the report reads 'RESOLVED!' It's an answer to prayer. Praise the Lord! She still does have cancer in her colon, lung and liver but this is great news that it isn't growing.

The best part of it is that my Mom won't be starting Chemotherapy just yet.  She will most likely wait 6-8 more weeks and get another scan. So keep on praying for complete healing!

One more quick note...I've been amazed at the strength and grace that my Mom has shown through this tough time. She is one stellar woman and I love her dearly. 

Easter Bunny who?

Amy  - puuuulease control your 6yr old.

Overheard

Ava:  "Is anyone going to push me?   Is anyone going to push me?"

(Not sure exactly who she was talking to and how long she had been asking that question...since we were all running around the yard talking and playing frisbee) 

Routines

I never realized that little habbits turn into routines that Ava hangs on to. Take for instance this morning...

Our usual morning routine (on days I work)

1) I get Ava dressed while Brian gets ready

2) Brian starts breakfast with Ava while I get ready

3) Brian leaves for work and I finish breakfast

Today's routine went a little differently

1) Ava ate in her PJ's with Brian

2) Brian left for work and I dressed Ava

Everything was fine until Ava ran from her nursery into our bedroom (in her usual excited fashion) asking her almost daily question..."Daddy, I look pretty?" When she realized he wasn't there to answer with his usual "Yes, Ava, very pretty" -  we had a little fling on the floor meltdown in the dark, daddy-less bedroom.  

Our solution: call Daddy and ask him over the phone...

"Daddy, I look pretty?"   -    "Yes, Ava, VERY pretty."

spring break

Usually spring break means sunny destinations, rest and relaxation...not at our house. This year it meant shovels and gravel, scrapes and backaches, and lots and lots of DIRT! My wonderful, handy husband spent his break last week making new pathways and stone walls for the yard. But he can't take all the credit - he did have a little helper to lighten the load.  Here she is "working hard" (in her own words)...

...although I am not sure that digging up buckets of gravel you just put down is really much help but it sure makes it more enjoyable!

Just look at her cute little (DIRTY) face! 

Out to lunch

We've moved on from the high-chair...for meals out. These days Ava likes to express her independence in many ways- one of which is sitting next to Mommy in a "big girl" chair. Here is Ava in the booth. Cuuuutie pie.

Easter Sunday

Lots of wonderful memories were made this Easter! A full day of Easter baskets, Church celebrations,  egg hunts and more. A fun time was had by all. 

My little boy...

Aidan would be 6 months and a few days old.  I often have a "something is missing" feeling when it's the three of us together. It's mostly a gut feeling that, like many things in life, can't be captured with words. Hard to imagine my little family with four of us.

My friend Tanya has a little boy, Atticus, that was born a few weeks before Aidan. I love to watch him grow. Atticus allows me to imagine my Aidan at different stages in a more tangible way. It's hard to describe. While painful at times it helps me connect with feelings and fleeting thoughts that would otherwise pass by too quickly. Even if it only in my imagination, I get to dream of what Aidan may have been like at 6 months. I can think 'O- he'd be getting ready to crawl right around now'.  What he may have looked like- hair, no hair? Pudgy or wiry? Would he look more like Brian or me? I get to make up the sound of his coo's. Even though he will only ever "grow-up" in my imagination, he will always live on in my heart.  

a little night-night reading

Lolli

Not sure how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop - ava never made it. But it sure was fun trying!

baking with Ava

Happy 60th Dad!

We got to celebrate my Dad's 60th birthday this weekend! A fun time was had by all. Did I mention we all went out as grown-ups with NO kids? I can't even think of the last time that happened. Happy Birthday to a great man! love you Dad.

It's the thought that counts...

It was supposed to look like this (instructions at bakerella)...

but somewhere between the fridge and the final butter-cream coat of icing...something happened. Ahhh well - there's always next year.

Spring has sprung...

at least it has in our yard. Hundreds of purple crocus cover our yard and are a perfect example of the beauty of life after a long, dead winter.

And here's another pretty perfect example...

Zoo Time.

We went to the zoo on Sunday afternoon with some of the family. It was a fun day with my Mom and Dad and my sister Megan and her family - Jim, Abby, Chris and Alex!

Up Close and personal...

And at the end of the day we had some tired little animals coming home with us...

Snow Day #2

Happy Snow day- Happy Sledding!! Another unexpected day off with daddy. 

Birthday Boy

Happy Birthday to my favorite guy in the whole world!

What a shining example of true grace, gentleness and love. You are a beautiful father and an amazing husband. Cheers to the best man I know!

Mr. Snowman

Ava and daddy got to make a snowman in the dark - just as the snow was starting to stick! Look at the CUTE little  guy...that snowman is not bad either ;) And look at Mr. Snowman in the morning- all covered in snow!

And I couldn't resist this magic photo of the snow in our backyard. Isn't the light marvelous?!

Snow day #1

Snow days with daddy are always a ton of fun - filled with sledding down our hill in the backyard, snow angels and yummy hot chocolate...weeeeee.